Paravalvular leak after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): Short-term results. Data from Polish national POL-TAVI registry

Abstract

Background: The authors analyzed data from Polish national POL-TAVI registry in terms of paravalvular leak (PVL) occurrence after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and its impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: A total of 331 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent TAVI (Edwards Sapien, n = 141; CoreValve, n = 190). The grade of PVL and survival rate were assessed in 6-month follow-up. Results: One hundred and eighty-one (54.7%) patients developed mild PVL, and 22 (6.6%) — moderate PVL after TAVI. No severe PVLs were observed. Occurrence of moderate PVL was device dependent and more frequent in the CoreValve group (p = 0.02). Larger CoreValve device used correlated with the grade of PVL (Spearman: r = 0.19; p = 0.01), but for Edwards Sapien devices this correlation was inverted (Spearman: r = –0.62; p = 0.01). Six-month mortality rate was not significant between patients with no or mild PVL compared to those with moderate PVL (p = 0.12). Conclusions: The PVL occurrence remains a frequent problem after TAVI and is device dependent, more common with Edwards 23 mm valve and 31 mm CoreValve prosthesis.